Floor assembly as well as a section suitable for such a floor assembly

ABSTRACT

A floor assembly comprising at least one plate, at least one girder connected to said plate, which girder is provided with at least one passage extending transversely to the girder and which supports at least one removable panel. The floor assembly further comprises at least one section supported by at least one girder, which section extends in a direction transversely to the girder. Said section comprises a separating segment and first and second supports located on either side of said separating segment, wherein said first and said second support are located at different heights relative to an upper side of the separating segment. The first support supports the panel, whilst the second support supports a stonelike floor. The second support is located near a bottom side of the separating segment remote from the upper side.

The invention relates to a floor assembly comprising at least one plate,at least one girder connected to said plate, which girder is providedwith at least one passage extending transversely to the girder and whichsupports at least one removable panel.

The invention also relates to a section suitable for such a floorassembly.

With, such a floor assembly, which is known from International patentapplication WO98/13560, a number of removable panels are supported by anumber of girders extending parallel to each other. Conduits, forexample for gas, water, electricity and data communication, may beinstalled between the girders, after which said conduits are hidden fromview by the panels. Adding conduits or changing the course of saidconduits can be done in a simple manner by removing the panels,whereupon access to the conduits can be gained again.

In practice it has been found that the provision of removable panelsover the entire floor area is relatively costly. Furthermore, theprovision of underfloor heating in such removable panels is labourious,if not altogether impossible. When carpeting is present on removablepanels, the edges of the panels frequently show through the carpeting.Furthermore, removable panels have a limited stability and load-bearingcapacity.

The object of the invention is to provide a floor assembly in which thecourse of conduits can be changed in a simple manner whilst avoiding thedrawbacks of the known floor assembly.

This object is accomplished with the floor assembly according to theinvention in that the floor assembly further comprises at least onesection supported by at least one girder, which section extends in adirection transversely to the girder and which comprises a separatingsegment and first and second supports located on either side of saidseparating segment, wherein said first and said second support arelocated at different heights relative to an upper side of the separatingsegment, which first support supports the panel, whilst the secondsupport supports a stonelike floor, which second support is located neara bottom side of the separating segment remote from the upper side.

In this way the floor assembly comprises removable panels as well asstonelike floors located adjacent to said removable panels. An advantageof such a stonelike floor is that it can be constructed at relativelylow cost. In addition, the load-bearing capacity of such a stonelikefloor is often higher than that of a removable panel. The term“stonelike floor” is understood to include, inter alia, a concretefloor, a floor constructed with concrete tiles, and a floor comprisinganhydrite.

It has been found that certain parts of the floor assembly in particularneed to be accessible when changing the course of the conduits, whilstthe fact that other parts of the floor assembly are not accessible doesnot lead to insurmountable problems. The floor assembly according to theinvention is flexible and accessible at those places where this isnecessary and can be provided with underfloor heating etc at relativelylow cost at the other places.

Since the sections are supported by the girders, a space is presentunder the panels and the stonelike floors, through which space conduitscan be passed. Said conduits are accessible near the removable panelsfor maintenance, replacement, etc.

Removable panels are preferably relatively thin so as to minimise theweight of the panel. The stonelike floor is usually thicker than thepanel in practice so as to achieve a desired strength. Since thesupports are located at different heights, the panels and the stonelikefloor can be installed at any desired height relative to each other.

Since the upper sides of the panel and the stonelike floor are locatedat substantially the same height as the upper side of the separatingsegment, the panel and the stonelike floor form a substantially levelfloor. When the stonelike floor is being constructed, for example bypouring, the upper side of the separating segment functions to indicatethe level when pouring the concrete.

Since the second support is located near a bottom side of the separatingsegment remote from the upper side, both the second support and thebottom side of the separating segment are supported by the girder.

As a result, an adequate transmission of forces from the stonelike floorto the support surface via the second support is realised.

Since the section extends in a direction transversely to the girders,which girders are provided with at least one passage extendingtransversely to the girders, conduits can be passed under the stonelikefloor to a space located under the removable panel, where the conduitsare accessible for maintenance, repairs and replacement.

Yet another floor assembly according to the invention is characterisedin that said section is provided with a strip extending transversely tothe separating segment on a side remote from the second support, whichstrip is provided with a third support on a side remote from theseparating segment for supporting a side of a panel remote from saidfirst support.

The space present between said first and said third support is suitablefor installing conduits therein and forms a kind of cable duct, as itwere. Such a section is preferably provided at an edge of the floorassembly that abuts a horizontally extending wall.

In this way a “cable duct” is created along the wall in a simple manner.Said “cable duct” can be closed and opened again in a simple manner bythe removable panel supported by the first and third supports.

Yet another embodiment of the floor assembly according to the inventionis characterised in that said strip is provided with at least oneseparating segment located between said first and said third support.

Said separating segment divides the cable duct into at least two parts,wherein one part may be used for electric conduits, for example, whilstthe other part may be used for air pipes or data communication lines.

Yet another embodiment of the floor assembly according to the inventionis characterised in that the support comprises a strip extendingtransversely to the separating segment or is tubular and/or angular inshape.

These shapes of the support lead to a strong support which isnevertheless easy to form.

Yet another embodiment of the floor assembly according to the inventionis characterised in that the floor assembly further comprises a profiledplate material which is supported by the second support, on whichprofiled plate material a poured stonelike floor is present.

The profiled plate is a sheet of corrugated iron for example.

In this way it is possible to pour a stonelike floor, whilst a spacelocated under the second support remains freely accessible. Furthermore,the stonelike floor is not in direct contact with a support surfacelocated under said stonelike floor in this way.

The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to thedrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a floor assemblyaccording to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed perspective view of said first embodiment of afloor assembly according to the invention;

FIGS. 3 a-3 e are perspective views of various embodiments of sectionsaccording to the invention, which are suitable for use in the floorassembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the floorassembly according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a detailed perspective view of said second embodiment of afloor assembly according to the invention;

FIGS. 6 a-6 d are perspective views of various embodiments of sectionsaccording to the invention suitable for use in the floor assembly shownin FIGS. 4 and 5.

Like parts are indicated by the same numerals in the figures.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show perspective views of a first embodiment of a floorassembly 1 according to the invention, which comprises a number ofsections 2 extending parallel to each other, two of which are shown inFIG. 1. The floor assembly 1 further comprises a number of panels 3supported by the sections 2, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1. Thefloor assembly 1 further comprises stonelike floors 4 supported by thesections 2, only one of which is shown in FIG. 1.

Each section 2 comprises a vertically extending separating segment 5, atubular first support 6 located on one side of the separating segmentand a strip-shaped second support 7 located on the other side of theseparating segment 5. The bottom sides of the supports 6, 7 lie in thesame plane. The upper side of the tubular first support 6 is located ata distance H1 from the upper side of the separating segment 5, whilstthe second support is located at a distance H2 from the upper side ofthe separating segment. As FIG. 1 clearly shows, two sections 1 locatedadjacent to each other are arranged in mirror symmetry, so that thefirst supports 6 face towards each other. The first supports 6 supportthe panel 3, which removably rests on said supports 6. The panel 3 has athickness D that corresponds to the distance H1, so that the upper sideof the panel 3 lies at the same level as the upper side of theseparating segment 5. The second support 7 supports one end of aprofiled plate material 8, on which profiled plate material 8 the pouredstonelike floor 4 is present. The height of the profiled plate material8 combined with that of the stonelike floor 4 equals the distance H2, sothat the upper side of the stonelike floor 4 coincides with the upperside of the separating segment 5, and thus the upper side of the panel3. The height H1 is 40 mm, for example, whilst the height H2 is 70 mm,for example.

The profiled plate material 8 rests with two sides facing away from eachother on spaced-apart second supports 7. The longitudinal direction ofthe crests and valleys of the profiled plate material 8 preferablyextends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the sections 2, sothat the profiled weight material 8 forms a solid support for thestonelike floor 4 to be poured thereon.

The floor assembly 1 further comprises a concrete plate 12 and a numberof I-shaped girders 13 extending parallel to each other, which areconnected to the concrete plate 12. Each I-shaped girder 13 has twoparts 14, 15 extending parallel to each other and a bridge part 16extending in transverse direction between said parts 14, 15. The part 14is embedded in the concrete plate 12. The bridge part 16 is providedwith passages 17 extending transversely to the bridge part 16. Thesections 2 of the floor assembly 1 extend transversely to thelongitudinal direction of the I-shaped girders 13.

Once the concrete plate 12 and the I-shaped girders 13 have beeninstalled in a building, conduits can be laid on the surface of theplate 13 in practically any desired pattern, which conduits can bepassed through the passages 17 at the location of the I-shaped girders13. Following that, the sections 2 and subsequently the panels 3 and thefloors 4 are placed on the I-shaped girders 13. When conduits are to bereplaced or added after the installation of the floor assembly 1, theremovable panels 3 are removed, so that access is gained to the spaceunder the panels 3 and the stonelike floors 4.

FIGS. 3A-3E are perspective views of other embodiments of sectionssuitable for the floor assembly 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The varioussections 21-25 each comprise a vertically extending separating segment 5and a strip-shaped second support 7 connected to the bottom side of theseparating segment 5.

The section 21 comprises a first support 26, which, like the secondsupport 7, is strip-shaped.

The first support 27 of the section 22 is tubular in shape and has asquare cross-section.

The first support 28 of the section 23 is tubular in shape and has atriangular cross-section.

The first support 29 of the section 24 comprises a strip 26, alongitudinal side of which remote from the separating segment 5 isconnected to the bottom side of the separating segment 5 via a curvedplate 30.

The section 25 comprises a hook-shaped first support 31. The varioussections are different from each other as regards their load-bearingcapacity, cost price, manner of production, etc.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a second embodiment of a floor assembly 41 accordingto the invention, which comprises an elongated section 42 and panels 3supported by the section 42, as well as a supported stonelike floor 4.The section 42 comprises a vertically extending separating segment 5, astrip-shaped first support 43 extending transversely to the separatingsegment 5 and a strip-shaped second support 7 extending on another sideof the separating segment 5, transversely to said separating segment 5.The first support 43 is spaced from the upper side of the separatingsegment 5 by a distance which corresponds to the thickness of the panel3. The second support 7 extends from the bottom side of the separatingsegment 5. On the side where the first support 43 is located, thesection 42 comprises a strip 44 which extends in line with the secondsupport 7. On a side remote from the separating segment 4, said strip 44has a vertically extending wall part 45 and a strip-shaped third support46 connected to the end of the wall part 45. Said third support 46 liesin the same plane as the first support 43 and functions to support aside of the panel 3 remote from the first support 43. The section 42further comprises a separating segment 47 extending transversely to thestrip 44, which separating segment divides the space between theseparating segment 5 and the wall part 45 into two separate spaces 48,49. The space 49 is suitable for passing electric conduits therethrough,for example, in which case the panel 3 may be provided with wall plugs50, for example. The space 48 may function as an air duct, for examplefor a ventilation system, in which case the air to be supplied ordischarged through the air duct is carried to or from the room locatedabove the panel 3 via air grates 51 in the panel 3.

The section 42 is preferably provided near a wall 52 of a building, inwhich case the wall part 45 abuts the wall 52.

It is possible to provide sections 42 only near walls 52. Is alsopossible, however, to provide sections 42 near walls 52 and to use theabove-described sections 2, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25 at locations spacedfrom said walls 52 for supporting stonelike floors 4 or panels 3.

The floor assembly 41 according to the invention comprises, in a mannercomparable to the floor assembly 1, a concrete plate 12, I-shapedgirders 13 connected thereto, and sections 42, panels 3 and floors 4present thereon. When the floor assembly 41 is used in this manner, thestrip 44 is preferably provided with passages to the space present underthe strip 44 and above the plate 12, so that it is possible to gainaccess to said space and the conduits present therein.

FIG. 6 shows embodiments of sections suitable for use with the assembly41 as shown in FIGS. 4, 5.

FIG. 6 shows a section 62, which, in contrast to the section 42, is notprovided with a separating segment 47.

FIG. 6B shows the section 42.

FIG. 6C shows a section 63, which comprises tubular first and thirdsupports 65, 66 instead of strip-shaped first supports 43, 44. The firstand third supports 65, 66 have a rectangular cross-section. In saidsupports 65, 66, cables and air ducts may be provided. A strip 67 islocated on a side of the third support 66 remote from the first support65. The strip 67 extends in line with the strip 44.

FIG. 6D shows a section 64 provided with tubular first and thirdsupports 68, 69 having a triangular cross-section.

The wall 45 of the section 64 is also provided with a passage 70. It ispossible to lead air into the space 49 via the wall 52 and the passage70. The space 48 is used for electric conduits in that case.

The sections may be made of a metal, for example, in which case thevarious parts are welded together. It is also possible to manufacturethe sections by extrusion, casting, cold-rolling, etc. It is alsopossible to form the sections from other materials, for example aplastic material.

A floor assembly having good acoustic and/or thermal values is obtainedby providing an acoustically and/or thermally insulating layer under thesections.

1. A floor assembly comprising: at least one plate, at least one girderconnected to said plate, which wherein the girder comprises at least onepassage extending transversely to the girder, and the girder supports atleast one removable panel on a site remote from the plate; and at leastone section supported by the at least one girder on a side remote offrom the plate, wherein the least one section extends in a directiontransversely to the girder, wherein the at least one section comprises aseparating segment and first and second supports located on either sideof said separating segment, wherein said first and said second supportare located at different heights relative to an upper side of theseparating segment, wherein the first support supports the panel, whilstthe second support supports a stonelike floor, wherein the secondsupport is located near a bottom side of the separating segment remotefrom the upper side, and wherein a freely accessible space is presentunder the stonelike floor and the removable panel and above the plate.2. A floor assembly according to claim 1, wherein the at least onesection is located on either side of the panel, which is supported bythe first supports of said sections.
 3. A floor assembly according toclaim 1, wherein said section comprises a strip extending transverselyto the separating segment on a side remote from the second support, andthe strip comprises a third support on a side remote from the separatingsegment for supporting a side of a panel remote from said first support.4. A floor assembly according to claim 3, wherein said strip comprisesat least one separating segment located between said first and saidthird support.
 5. A floor assembly according to claim 3, wherein atleast one of said first, second, and third supports comprises a stripextending transversely to the separating segment.
 6. A floor assemblyaccording to claim 3, wherein at least one of said first, second, andthird supports is tubular in shape.
 7. A floor assembly according toclaim 3, wherein at least one of said first, second, and third supportsis angular in shape.
 8. A floor assembly according to, claim 1 whereinthe floor assembly further comprises a profiled plate material, which issupported by the second support.
 9. A floor assembly according to, claim1 wherein said plate is a concrete plate.
 10. A floor assembly accordingto claim 1 further comprising a section that comprises: a separatingsegment and supports located on either side of said separating segment.11. A floor assembly according to claim 8, wherein the floor assemblyfurther comprises a poured stonelike floor and the poured stonelikefloor is present on the second support.